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Abstract:

A method includes providing to a user a set of computer-executable
instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generate
a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's
electronic device, presenting to the user via the user interface a
plurality of solicitations for a set of personal information describing
characteristics of the user, receiving via the user interface the
personal information set, and, based on the personal information set,
generating to the user interface a checklist of tax return preparation
information to be compiled by the user.

Claims:

1. A method comprising: providing to a user a set of computer-executable
instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generates
a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's
electronic device; presenting to the user via the user interface at least
one question requesting tax-related information regarding the user;
receiving via the user interface an answer from or selection by the user
to the request for tax-related information; based on the received answer
from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information,
generating for presentation at the user interface a checklist of
documents to be gathered by the user for preparation of the user's tax
return; presenting to the user via the user interface explanatory
information regarding at least one of the documents in the checklist of
documents, wherein the explanatory information regarding the document
advises the user of potential issues related to the document; receiving
an indication via the user interface that the user desires more
information regarding the request for tax-related information; presenting
to the user additional information regarding the request for tax-related
information, wherein the additional information is presented to the user
in the same user interface as the request for tax-related information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the document with the potential issue
is a W2, and the potential issue is that the user is unable to
electronically file their tax return or qualify for refund anticipation
loans if the W2 is handwritten.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the checklist is generated
incrementally to the user interface as the user responds to the request
for tax-related information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional information regarding
the request for tax-related information is presented to the user via the
user interface upon the user hovering or clicking with a pointer,
controlled by a pointing device, over the request for tax-related
information presented on the user interface.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the
received answer from or selection by the user to the request for
tax-related information in a tax-return preparation program.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising transferring the stored
answer from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related
information to the tax-return preparation program.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable
instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, enable
the user's electronic device to perform steps comprising: generating a
user interface displayable on a display associated with the user's
electronic device; presenting to the user via the user interface at least
one question requesting tax-related information regarding the user;
receiving via the user interface an answer from or selection by the user
to the request for tax-related information; based on the received answer
from or selection by the user to the request for tax-related information,
generating for presentation at the user interface a checklist of
documents to be gathered by the user for preparation of the user's tax
return; presenting to the user via the user interface explanatory
information regarding at least one of the documents in the checklist of
documents, wherein the explanatory information regarding the document
advises the user of potential issues related to the document; receiving
an indication via the user interface that the user desires more
information regarding the request for tax-related information; presenting
to the user additional information regarding the request for tax-related
information, wherein the additional information is presented to the user
in the same user interface as the request for tax-related information.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the document with the
potential issue is a W2, and the potential issue is that the user is
unable to electronically file their tax return or qualify for refund
anticipation loans if the W2 is handwritten.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the checklist is
generated incrementally to the user interface as the user responds to the
request for tax-related information.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the additional
information regarding the request for tax-related information is
presented to the user via the user interface upon the user hovering or
clicking with a pointer, controlled by a pointing device, over the
request for tax-related information presented on the user interface.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the
computer-executable instructions further enable the user's device to
store the received answer from or selection by the user to the request
for tax-related information in a tax-return preparation program.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the
computer-executable instructions further enable the user's device to
transfer the stored answer from or selection by the user to the request
for tax-related information to the tax-return preparation program.

15. A system comprising: (a) a memory device; and (b) a first electronic
device coupled to the memory device and configured to perform the
following steps: generate a user interface displayable on a display
associated with the first electronic device; present to the user via the
user interface at least one question requesting tax-related information
regarding the user; receive via the user interface an answer from or
selection by the user to the request for tax-related information; based
on the received answer from or selection by the user to the request for
tax-related information, generate for presentation at the user interface
a checklist of documents to be gathered by the user for preparation of
the user's tax return; present to the user via the user interface
explanatory information regarding at least one of the documents in the
checklist of documents, wherein the explanatory information regarding the
document advises the user of potential issues related to the document;
receive an indication via the user interface that the user desires more
information regarding the request for tax-related information; present to
the user additional information regarding the request for tax-related
information, wherein the additional information is presented to the user
in the same user interface as the request for tax-related information.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the document with the potential issue
is a W2, and the potential issue is that the user is unable to
electronically file their tax return or qualify for refund anticipation
loans if the W2 is handwritten.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the checklist is generated
incrementally to the user interface as the user responds to the request
for tax-related information.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the system further includes a
pointing device and further wherein the additional information regarding
the request for tax-related information is presented to the user via the
user interface upon the user hovering or clicking with a pointer,
controlled by the pointing device, over the request for tax-related
information presented on the user interface.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein presenting the request for
tax-related information includes presenting questions regarding tax
filing status, income, and deductions.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the first electronic device is
further enabled to (a) store the received answer from or selection by the
user to the request for tax-related information in a tax-return
preparation program, and (b) transfer the stored answer from or selection
by the user to the request for tax-related information to the tax-return
preparation program.

Description:

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation, and claims priority
benefit with regard to all common subject matter, of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/881,799, filed Sep. 14, 2010, and entitled
"METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ORGANIZING TAX INFORMATION AND PROVIDING TAX
ADVICE," which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,321,312, issued Nov. 27, 2012 ("the
'312 Patent"). The '312 Patent is a continuation application and claims
priority benefit from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/948,737, filed
Nov. 30, 2007, and entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ORGANIZING TAX
INFORMATION AND PROVIDING TAX ADVICE," which is now U.S. Pat. No.
7,818,222, issued Oct. 19, 2010 ("the '222 Patent"). The '222 Patent is a
non-provisional application and claims priority benefit from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/868,051, filed Nov. 30, 2006, and
entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ORGANIZING TAX INFORMATION AND PROVIDING
TAX ADVICE." The earlier-filed patents and patent application are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present application.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many of those who prepare for filing tax returns are unfamiliar
with and may be confused by the type and/or amount of data needed to
answer tax return questions and the supporting documentation that is
required to be submitted with a tax return. No known electronic
tax-preparation products inform return filers of the documentation and
other materials required to enable return preparation.

SUMMARY

[0003] In an embodiment of the invention, a method includes providing to a
user a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a
user's electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a
display device coupled to the user's electronic device, presenting to the
user via the user interface a plurality of solicitations for a set of
personal information describing characteristics of the user, receiving
via the user interface the personal information set, and, based on the
personal information set, generating to the user interface a checklist of
tax return preparation information to be compiled by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are
described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary operating environment in
which an embodiment of the invention can be implemented;

[0006] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary operating
environment in which an embodiment of the invention can be implemented;

[0007] FIGS. 3-8 show screenshots of a user interface in accordance with
an embodiment of the systems and methods described herein; and

[0008] FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a process in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a computing system environment 100
in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. The computing
system environment 100, as illustrated, is an example of a suitable
computing environment; however it is appreciated that other environments,
systems, and devices may be used to implement various embodiments of the
invention as described in more detail below.

[0010] Embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous other
general-purpose or special purpose computing system environments or
configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,
and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with embodiments of
the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server
computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,
microprocessor-based systems, set-top boxes, programmable consumer
electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed
computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices,
and the like.

[0011] Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general
context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules
being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include
routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that
perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced in
distributed-computing environments where tasks are performed by remote
processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a
distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both
local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.

[0012] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing an
embodiment of the invention includes a computing device, such as
computing device 100. The computing device 100 typically includes at
least one processing unit 102 and memory 104.

[0013] Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device,
memory 104 may be volatile (such as random-access memory (RAM)),
nonvolatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.) or some
combination of the two. This most basic configuration is illustrated in
FIG. 1 by dashed line 106.

[0014] Additionally, the device 100 may have additional features, aspects,
and functionality. For example, the device 100 may include additional
storage (removable and/or non-removable) which may take the form of, but
is not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tapes. Such additional
storage is illustrated in FIG. 1 by removable storage 108 and
non-removable storage 110. Computer storage media includes volatile and
nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method
or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory 104,
removable storage 108 and non-removable storage 110 are all examples of
computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not
limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology,
CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic
cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage
devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired
information and which can be accessed by device 100. Any such computer
storage media may be part of device 100.

[0015] The device 100 may also include a communications connection 112
that allows the device to communicate with other devices. The
communications connection 112 is an example of communication media.
Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,
data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal
such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any
information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" means a
signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such
a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, the
communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or
direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,
radio-frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media. The term
computer-readable media as used herein includes both storage media and
communication media.

[0016] The device 100 may also have an input device 114 such as keyboard,
mouse, pen, voice-input device, touch-input device, etc. Further, an
output device 116 such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be
included. Additional input devices 114 and output devices 116 may be
included depending on a desired functionality of the device 100.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention
takes the form of an exemplary computer network system 200. The system
200 includes an electronic client device 210, such as a personal computer
or workstation, that is linked via a communication medium, such as a
network 220 (e.g., the Internet), to an electronic device or system, such
as a server 230. The server 230 may further be coupled, or otherwise have
access, to a database 240 and a computer system 260. Although the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 includes one server 230 coupled to one
client device 210 via the network 220, it should be recognized that
embodiments of the invention may be implemented using one or more such
client devices coupled to one or more such servers.

[0018] The client device 210 and the server 230 may include all or fewer
than all of the features associated with the device 100 illustrated in
and discussed with reference to FIG. 1. The client device 210 includes or
is otherwise coupled to a computer screen or display 250. The client
device 210 may be used for various purposes such as network- and
local-computing processes.

[0019] The client device 210 is linked via the network 220 to server 230
so that computer programs, such as, for example, a browser, running on
the client device 210 can cooperate in two-way communication with server
230. The server 230 may be coupled to database 240 to retrieve
information therefrom and to store information thereto. Database 240 may
include a plurality of different tables (not shown) that can be used by
the server 230 to enable performance of various aspects of embodiments of
the invention. Additionally, the server 230 may be coupled to the
computer system 260 in a manner allowing the server to delegate certain
processing functions to the computer system.

[0020] Still referring to FIG. 2, and in operation according to an
embodiment of the invention, a user (not shown) of the client device 210
desiring to electronically generate a checklist of relevant documents or
other required information for preparing a tax return uses a browser
application running on the client device to access web content, which
may, but need not, be served by the server 230. Specifically, by
employing an appropriate uniform resource locator (URL) in a known
manner, the user may download from the server 230 and install on the
client device 210 a tax organizer user interface module 280 comprising
computer-executable instructions as described more fully hereinafter.
Alternatively, the user may receive the module 280 on a tangible
computer-readable medium (not shown), such as, for example, a CD-ROM, and
subsequently install the module on the client device 210 from the medium.

[0021] Upon execution of the module 280 by the client device 210, a user
interface such as that described with reference to FIGS. 3-8, for
example, may be displayed on the display device 250. In an example
embodiment, the client device 210 is configured similarly to the
computing device 100 of FIG. 1, with the module 280 stored in the memory
unit 104 and providing instructions for the processing unit 102. In this
example, execution of the module 280 causes the processing unit 102 to
operate in such a way that the processing unit 102 may be described as
having a first component configured to generate a graphical user
interface for a tax-return organization program, a second component
configured to present solicitations, such as questions, to a user through
the user interface on the display, a third component configured to
receive answers (e.g., a personal information set) from the user to the
presented questions, a fourth component configured to generate a tax
preparation checklist based on the received answers, and a fifth
component configured to present the tax preparation checklist on the
display. In additional examples, the processing unit 102 may be described
as having one or more of a sixth component configured to generate advice
based on the received answers, a seventh component configured to present
the advice on the display, an eighth component configured to store the
received answers in the memory for use in a tax preparation program, and
a ninth component configured to transfer the stored answers to the tax
preparation program. In some embodiments, the fifth component is
configured to present the tax preparation checklist incrementally as the
user answers the questions and/or the second component is configured to
present questions regarding marital status, income, and deductions.

[0022] Some example embodiments of the module 280 are referred to as
Organizit® An example embodiment of the invention includes a tax
organizer which is embodied via desktop software, online application
executed and/or served by, for example, server 230, or combination of
both with accompanying expertise and advice about the client's
personalized tax situation. An embodiment produces a tax-return
preparation checklist along with advice about the client's tax and
financial situation that the user can print. In addition, the embodiment
allows users to transfer their information into electronic tax-return
preparation applications that may include H&R Block® products, such
as Online Office® and OB1®. Certain aspects of the OB1 product are
more fully described in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/838,761 titled `Tax-Return Preparation Systems
and Methods`, filed Aug. 14, 2007 which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety. Some embodiments of the invention may also be
used in conjunction with other tax preparation applications, aspects of
which are disclosed in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos.: 11/334,033 titled `User Interface for Tax-Return
Preparation`, filed Jan. 17, 2006 and published as US 2007/0033116;
11/334,730 titled `User Interface and Data Acquisition for Tax-Return
Preparation`, filed Jan. 17, 2006 and published as US 2007/0033117; and
11/334,032 titled `Distributed Tax-Return-Preparation Processing`, filed
Jan. 17, 2006 and published as US 2007/0033130 all of which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

[0023] An example embodiment helps users get organized to do their taxes
and get educated about their personal tax situation by having them answer
simple questions about their life and financial situation. In an
embodiment, the program does not ask the user any personally identifying
information such as name, social security number (SSN), etc. After
answers are entered, the program gives the user a personalized tax
preparation checklist of items which apply to the user based on their
answers as well as expertise related to each item and advice such as
recommendations specifically targeted towards enhancing the user's tax
preparation experience, regardless of whether or not they go to a tax
professional or prepare their taxes themselves. Once complete, users can
transfer the information that they entered in accordance with an
embodiment to either have their taxes prepared remotely with a tax
professional via Online Office, or the user can transfer the information
into a do-it-yourself (DIY) online or local application.

[0024] An embodiment includes a tool which not only provides a list of
what the user will need to gather to take with them to a tax professional
or have when they prepare their own taxes, but also educates and empowers
the user to better understand their tax and financial situation. For
example, when a user indicates that they have a W2 form, the user is
alerted to the fact that if they have a handwritten W2 they will be
unable to eFile or qualify for refund anticipation loans, etc.

[0025] An embodiment is structured to have people focus on their life
situation. In an example embodiment, users can quickly click down through
statements which apply to them, and as they do so, their tax preparation
checklist builds, showing them which forms and/or supporting
documentation they need. Users can easily find out more information by
clicking on links to additional information items, also referred to as
`Tax Tips`, which provide specific expertise related to each item that
the users have identified as applying to them. Identification of life
events such as being married or having a baby also generates links to
specific content relevant to the user. Advice specific to what the user
needs to know before they go to have their taxes prepared is presented.
This educates, empowers and encourages users to discuss key pieces of
information with their tax professionals to make certain they communicate
their situation and get the most from their tax preparation experience.
Once complete, users can print all of this valuable information, or
transfer it to a do-it-yourself product locally or online so there is no
need to start over. Working with a tax professional is easily just a
click away. For those who are looking for the ease and expertise of a tax
professional, but the convenience of working remotely, clients can choose
to work with a tax professional from a remote location over a network,
such as by using the Virtual Tax Office offered by H & R Block, for
example. For those who choose to work in person with a tax professional
in their area, interactive maps and office information is available right
within the organizer itself.

[0026] An embodiment of the invention may be employed in the commercial
`do it yourself` tax software market as a product targeting those clients
who are looking for expertise in their tax return preparation. Tax
software also targets segments of tax consumers having more complex tax
returns, but looking for easier and more user-friendly solutions in
preparing their taxes.

[0027] In an embodiment, users are oriented by being presented with
questions throughout an interview via an organization of tabs and/or
nested accordions which are explained in more detail below. This
facilitates the ability for the user to orient themselves throughout the
interview, go back to previously entered information and/or go forward to
different portions. In addition, the flow of the interview is modified
throughout the experience based on the responses of the user. Responses
to certain questions may prompt additional data entry and/or questions
that are presented based on the response. This reduces the time necessary
to read unrelated questions and/or streamlines the consumer experience to
focus on just those questions that are pertinent to the user. Users can
see relevant information as they progress through the interview.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a screenshot of a user interface 400 of an embodiment
of the systems and methods described herein, such as the user interface
that is displayed upon execution of the module 280 shown in FIG. 2, for
example. In one embodiment the interface 400 is generally configured to
be served over a network to the user's computer from a location remote
from the user's computer. In an additional embodiment, the interface 400
is generally configured to be generated by a desktop application residing
on the user's computer. The interface 400 includes a tab bar 402, the tab
bar 402 being interactive and capable of being selected by a user, using
a conventional pointer. A tab is a high level navigation tool found in
the tab bar 402 in one embodiment. Each tab represents a topical
selection. In one embodiment, the tab operates as a container for each of
the various tax topics that can logically be grouped together.

[0029] In the example shown, the tab bar 402 includes a welcome tab 404, a
personal tab 410, an income tab 415, a deductions tab 420, and a summary
tab 425. In an embodiment, the income tab 415 includes topics related to
income earned, the personal tab 410 includes non-identifying personal
information related to filing a tax return such as marital status, and
the deductions tab 420 includes deductions that a taxpayer may take
during the current tax year. Also included are the welcome tab 404, which
provides a user with general welcome information, and a summary tab 425,
which provides a user with a summary of a generated checklist and further
options such as printing.

[0030] A tab becomes active when a user selects the tab using a computer
peripheral pointing device, such as a mouse. An inactive tab is any tab
that is not selected and does not show it contents while another tab is
selected as active. In some embodiments, tabs may also be activated using
a hover status, which allows an inactive tab to become active when a
pointer hovers over the inactive tab. If the pointer is held over a tab
using a pointing device for preferably three to five seconds, a click
event occurs and that tab is activated. In an example embodiment,
information related to an active tab is presented in a first window area
430 and a tax preparation checklist 440 is presented in a second window
area 442 that is separated from the first window area 430 by a pane 444.
Other presentation formats may be used in other embodiments.

[0031] In FIG. 3, the personal tab 410 is active. In an example
embodiment, non-identifying personal information is requested. Such
non-identifying personal information may include tax filing status
(single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of
household, qualifying widow(er), etc.), age, spouse's age, educational
institution attendance, military service, and dependent information.
Hovering or clicking with a pointer controlled by a pointing device such
as a mouse over/on a particular question or question mark icon may cause
a flyout 446 to appear in some embodiments. The flyout 446 provides
additional information to help the user correctly provide the requested
information. The flyout 446 shown in FIG. 3 is associated with a
selection of year 2006 single filing status and states that single filing
status should be used if the user was single on Dec. 31, 2006 and is not
living with a dependent (child or disabled adult).

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a screenshot of the interface 400 after information
has been entered in the first window area 430 associated with the
personal tab 410. Information may be entered in a plurality of ways in
varying embodiments. In FIG. 4, it can be seen that radio buttons, check
boxes, and alphanumeric entry windows are used. As information is
entered, the names of related supporting documents and other required
information are presented in the tax preparation checklist 440 so the
user will know which documents/information they will need to provide or
have at the ready when preparing their taxes.

[0033] In some embodiments, information is requested from the user only if
they have indicated in a higher level question that such information is
relevant. For example, the information listed below a "Dependents"
checkbox in FIG. 4 only appears (in the illustrated embodiment, in
cascade fashion) after the Dependents checkbox has been checked
affirmatively by the user. This can also be seen with reference to FIGS.
3 and 4, where a "Got married in 2006" checkbox appears after the married
filing jointly radio button has been selected. A continue button 448 is
also used in some examples to indicate that a user is finished with a
current section and wishes to proceed to a following section. Some
embodiments also use accordions to control the display of information.
FIG. 3 shows a "Personal Information" accordion and a "Personal Summary"
accordion. The Personal Information accordion is shown in an expanded
state, while the Personal Summary accordion is shown in a closed state.
Accordions may be expanded or closed by clicking on a triangular shaped
or other icon in an accordion header bar that describes the content of
the accordion. The structure and use of accordions is also described in a
different context in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/838,761 titled
`Tax-Return Preparation Systems and Methods`, filed Aug. 14, 2007, which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows the active personal tab 410 of the user interface 400
after personal information has been entered by the user. After the
required information has been entered, advice relating to the entered
information may be presented to the user. This advice is shown in a
number of expandable accordions that are labeled as including tax tips.
Expansion of a tax tip accordion provides advice to the user relating to
particular aspects of their situation, such as the fact that they had a
dependent child that attended daycare during the taxable year, for
example.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows the user interface 400 after the income tab 415 has
been activated and information has been entered by the user. Information
such as wage, salary, and tip (form W-2) income, interest and dividend
income, and investment income is requested on the active income tab 415.
As indications are made that the user had particular forms of income
during the taxable year, the tax preparation checklist 440 grows to
indicate the relevant supporting documents that will be needed for tax
preparation. In some cases, there may be more information than can be
displayed in the first window area 430 or the second window area 442. In
those cases, a first scroll bar 450 for the first window area 430 and/or
a second scroll bar 452 for the second window area 442 may be used to
scroll through the information. Other means such as next page and
previous page buttons (not shown) may also be used in some embodiments to
view more information than can be displayed in any particular window.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows the user interface 400 after the deductions tab 420
has been activated and information has been entered by the user.
Information such as whether the user paid home mortgage interest, donated
money to charities, or had individual retirement account (IRA)
contributions during the taxable year is requested on the active
deductions tab 420. As indications are made that the user had particular
forms of income during the taxable year, the tax preparation checklist
440 grows to indicate the relevant supporting documents that will be
needed for tax preparation.

[0037] FIG. 8 shows an example of the user interface 400 after the summary
tab 425 has been activated and an accordion designated as `takeit--tax
preparation checklist` has been expanded. The expanded accordion includes
items that appeared in the tax preparation checklist 440, but they now
appear in the first window area 430 rather than in the second window area
442. The second window area 442 now includes a title bar 460 designated
as `you got people`. The second window area 442 also includes a set of
selectable utilities operable to facilitate preparation of a tax return.
Such utilities include a `print my organizer` section 462, a `go to an
office` section 464, an `online office` section 466, a `tax calculators`
section 468, and a `do it yourself` section 470. In an example
embodiment, clicking on the `print my organizer` section 462 brings up a
print dialog box (not shown) and sends the tax preparation checklist to a
designated printer. In some embodiments, relevant tax tips, such as those
described with reference to FIG. 5, may also be sent to the designated
printer for printing.

[0038] Still referring to FIG. 8, in one example clicking on the `go to an
office` section 464 brings up a search dialog that requests the user to
enter a location near which they would like to find the nearest office
offering professional return-preparation services. After the user enters
location information, information for one or more of the closest offices
to the entered location is presented to the user. Such information may
include an address, telephone number, email address, and/or a fax number
for the office locations, a map of the office locations, and/or
directions to the office locations. Clicking on the `online office`
section 466 brings up additional information that can enable the user to
work with a tax professional over a computer network, such as the network
220 shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the user is able to transfer
the answers they provided to the questions on the personal tab 410, the
income tab 415, and the deductions tab 420 to the tax professional to
expedite the tax preparation process. Clicking on the `tax calculators`
section 468 brings up additional tax tools and calculators for the user.
Clicking on the `do it yourself` section 470 brings up and/or links to a
do it yourself tax application such as OB 1. In some embodiments, the
user is able to transfer the answers they provided to the do it yourself
tax application. In an example embodiment, the user interface 400 also
includes other accordion items (not shown) under the summary tab 425,
that are viewable in the first window area 430 when the `takeit--tax
preparation checklist` accordion is closed and/or when a user scrolls
down the first window area 430 by using the first scroll bar 450. Such
other accordion items include a `reviewit` accordion for providing an
opportunity to review the entered answers and/or to present a closing
statement to the user, an `understandit--items to consider` accordion for
presenting tailored advice to the user, and a `that's it--what's next`
accordion for presenting information to the user regarding tax
preparation options.

[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates a process 700 according to an embodiment of the
invention. The process 700 is illustrated as a set of operations shown as
discrete blocks. The process 700 may be implemented in any suitable
hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. The order in which
the operations are described is not to be necessarily construed as a
limitation.

[0040] First, at a block 710, a user is provided with a set of
computer-executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic
device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled
to the electronic device. Then, at a block 714, questions are presented
to the user through the user interface. Next, at a block 718, answers are
received from the user to the presented questions. Then, at a block 722,
a tax preparation checklist is generated based on the received answers.
Next, at a block 726, advice is generated based on the received answers.
Then, at a block 730, the tax preparation checklist is presented to the
user. Next, at a block 734, the advice is presented to the user. Then, at
a block 738, the received answers are stored, such as on the
non-removable storage device 110 shown in FIG. 1 or database 240 of FIG.
2. Next, at a block 740, the tax preparation checklist is printed. Then,
at a block 744, the stored answers are transferred to a tax preparation
program.

[0041] Although the steps listed in the method 700 are presented in a
particular order in FIG. 9, it should be understood that many of the
steps may occur in differing orders or simultaneously without departing
from the invention. For example, the tax preparation checklist and the
advice may be presented in differing orders or simultaneously to the
user. In addition, in an example embodiment, the tax preparation
checklist is presented incrementally to the user as the user answers the
presented questions. In some embodiments, the steps may be performed on
the user's computer, while in other embodiments, some or all of the steps
are conducted over a computer network, such as the network 220 shown in
FIG. 2, for example. In other embodiments, storing the received answers
may occur after each answer is entered or not at all, and/or stored
answers may not be transferred to a tax preparation program and/or items
may not be printed.

[0042] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated
and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the
invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment.
Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the
claims that follow.